HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1975-03-27, Page 2Since 1 860, 'Serving the Community First
SEAFORTH. ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN BROS.` PUBLISHERS LTD.
ANDREW Y. MCLEAN, Publisher
SUSAN WHITE, Editor
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Our national ignorance
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tone of little Maria coriies first. Bong, then
loud Martha. Bong, And. then Maria's
after-tone. Bong.
' Bong. BONG Bong. Bob's in full rhythm
now. With five or six feet of the rope slipping
through his hands as the bell wheel takes up
his pull.
• • Fora good five minutes Bob keepsethose
Saterday ekeelingibelle goinge-foe Mrs., Miller
. whtedieterthdt moeninghelollecbout threeeans try
of bells. On the first run he pulled on M aria
and Martha's ropes 40 or 50 times. That• run
was to get the community's attention.
He stopped. Waited an interval. And started
up with the second run. With 40 more strokes.
And wait again.
And then the final run. the single bell--the
big Martha bell--to sound out the 59 years of
MrsMiller's life. Those are quick short pulls.
Almost as if he's trying to hold back the
sound. Letting only a foot of the rope go
through his hands this time.
I asked him if he ever thought about that'
poem by. John Donne when he rings the bells?
The one about don't-ask-for-whom-the-bell- '
tolls-it-tolls-for-thee. ;
- Bob knew the poem alright. But he didn't
have time for any such. philosophy. He's got
enough to think about in pulling those ropes.
In keeping count. In keeping time. That's job
enough.
"This bell ringing was on the go long before
I was here", Bob says, "I just keep it going."
And tomorrow on Sunday he'll keep it going
once again. H e'll climb the bell tower and call
the members to worship. And then near the
close of the service while the congregation is
praying the Lord's Prayer, he'll ring the
Martha• bell again.
That's the potato bell I told him.
He never heard of that one. I heardit from
my mother. She said all the women back h
ome knew when to put the potatoes on the
stove for dinner when they heard that bell.
He laughed, "it's unknownst to me, but it
could make, a good yard stick.
And he was right. Bob French's bell ringing
yardsticks many things. Probably far more
things than he ever dreams of.
e
quite hopeful that our objective will be
attained.
Without your willing co-operation in
communicating our needs to the public, the
Canadian Heart Fund would not be able to
express such an outlook.
Heart disease is everyone's problem -
and again our thanks for helping us bring
to the attention of the public, that -
research should be everyone's
responsibility.
Canadian Heart Fund,
(Ontario Division),
Esther M. Rfchards
Dear Editor:
The CANTDU Committee has read the
text of the recent speech entitled 'Nuclear
Power and if's Critics' made by Robert 'B.
Taylor, Chairman of Ontario Hydro.
This Committee having made-a detailed
and unprejudiced study of the available
information concerning nuclear reactors in
Canada and elsewhere, remains convinced
that the following statements are true and
can be supported by a large body of
(Continued on 'Page 3)
To the Editor
Court reports lower quality, reader says
Quick now! Name three Canadian
prime ministers 'who have served
sinced the second world war. You
can't ? Well, you're in good company.
A survey of 3,500 senior Canadian
high school students has discovered
that 62% of them failed a test about
Canadian geography; government
and culture that asked fairly
elementary questions like the one we
just asked you.
The goofs and misinformation that
our students (SDHS students didn't
take the test so they're absolved from
blame - for now) recorded on the
survey included opinions ,that John
Diafen baker was our governor
general, that All in the Family was a
Canadian production and that Toronto
or Montreal was our nation's capital.
Canada must be the only nation in
the world that teaches its own citizens
so very little about their own country.
We seem to be so inundated and
overshadowed by the culture and
concerns of the great nation to the
south of us that we no longer know or
care about our own country.
Perhaps the Americans have a
.point when they carefully indoctrinate
their school children with facts about
America before they, learn about the
rest of the world. How else can we
explain the fact that most American
school children can name fifty states.
while more than 60% of the Canadian
high schoolers could not identify our
ten provinces in east to west
geographical order?,
Pitiful, isn't it? But there's more.
72% couldn't identify the premier
of Quebec. 61% couldn't name three
Canadian. authors. Only 41 %' knew
that the federal voting age had been
lowered to 18 and about half had no
idea why the,War Measures'Act was
proclaimed in 1970. .)
Our citizens and voters of tomorrow
were almost completely uninformed
about two of the issues that are most
likely to shape Canada's future. More
than 70% " couldn't write a few
sentences. on the importance of the
James Bay hydro electric project or
the McKenzie Valley pipeline.
Horrifying as these results are to
anyone who cares about Canada and
its futgure as an independent nation,
they really aren't all that surprising.
We can remember very little
Canadian history and ,Jmost no
Canadian literature being taught in
our high school and elementary
school days. Most of us watch
American comedies and police shows
on TV and read American news in
Time and even in our Canadian
newspapers.
Dear Editor: -
This is both aietter of appreciation and
suggestion. It is in appreciation for local
"homey" news that goes far. Last summer
When I was working in the Rockies in
Alberta and came to visit emigrants front
the, Seaforth area in Calgary nothing
seemed more natural than to spend our
first h our together passing-back and forth
pages of The Huron Expositor that had just
arrived.A local newspaer must reflect a
higher ideal than the give-it-all-to-them-to-
sort approach of the impersonal big dailies.
Now,`, the suggestion part. Detailed
accounts, of the mischief and petty
Misdemeanors reported in the court
reports lower the quality of the paper that
reports them.
These reports are usually sought out by
people all too willing to fill their gossip
coffers with any choice bits of local
startdal. Indeed the stories grow from the
report until the final product Would Make a
fiction section for your paper.
Meet people feel confident that the
courts, the people involved and in the case
We have suffered from a nation
wide inferiority complex and into the
vacuum left by the lack of emphasis
on our own country, has stepped
news, entertainment and school
textbooks that are made in the- U.S.A.
We couldn't help but wonder too
how many adults could score much
better on the same type of Canadian
facts survey. Where are they to learn
about Canada?
CBC tries hard to cover our country
and the important Canadian issues,
especially on radio, but TV stations
are waterlogged with American
shows—and people like them.
The-daily newspapers try but their
function is more. reporting than
educational and American news is of
avid interest to Canadian readers.
Our newstands are loaded with
American periodicals and paper
backs.
The schools really lack emphasis on
Canada, both in regular classes and in
extension and night classes for
adults.
in our universities, the majority of
teachers• on many faculties are
Americans who teach American
• theory and practise, at best only •
trying to adapt it to Canadian
situations. Canadian studies
programs are now springing up at our
urtersities but int (mop j:Rociology,
'literature, political science and
history are _taught -from an American
point of view.
In short, is it any wonder that we
are so blissfully ignorant about our
country, its issues, its important
people and even its geography?
Given that we don't want to give up
completely and become the 51st state,
wha t are we going to do about our
collective ignorance?
A crash program in our schools,
including night school courses on
Canada, and Canadians might be a
good place to start.More Canadian
emphasis on our radio and TV
stations, something that The Canadian
Radio and Television Commission is
pushing for, will also help.
Here at the Expositor'we try to do
our bit by searching for Canadian
jokes and features aqd by
commenting occasionally on the
important national issues.
If we want to really know our
country and be able'to make informed
judgments about its future as voters
and citizens its going to take a lot of
work from all of us. But the only
alternative in sight is countdown
Canada' and "My Country 'tis of
thee" in a very few years.
of youth - their parents, are quite aoequate
to deal with local problems.The
embarrassment and pressure that public
scrutiny and speculation bring only
magnify and distort the problem.
When this article was begun a few year
ago my father complained to your office of
the effects that this article might have. I
would •like to add my eupport to his request
that this article be discontinued.
It's to the principle of a "homey"
personal weekly newspaper to which I
appeal. However for a more practical
example of court reports and their
ramifications, I have just experienced some
professional embarrassment and
inconvenience due to a similarity in name
to one mentioned in your 'article.
I ask you "Could this not happen
often?"
I leave you with these thoughts .and my
strongest approval of all the fine
developments I see in "our" paper over
the past years.
Sincerely,
James F. Melady
Amon
By Karl Schuessler
Bob French rang the Brodhagen Church
bells for me.
He wondered if he'd get himself into''
trouble. And he did.
It didn't make any difference that we
checked with the pastor. He said to go ahead.
Ring the bells. Show me the ins and outs of
bell ringing way up • in St. Peter's steeple
tower.
But within two minutes of,the bells ringing,
the people st arted to phone up the pastor.
Why are the bells ringing? Did someone die?
I should have known. For bell ringing isn't
an idler's past time. A merry: sport. Bell
ringing says something. It marks time.. It rings
out news. It spreads the-wale taround.
Bob French nadaireacifturig.'the belfs twice
that Saturday.. Once to announce the passing
of a member who died that morning. And then
at 6:00 to mark the end of the week and the
beginning of preparation for the Sunday
worship.
And now a third time for me. To show me
the ropes of bell ringing. Bob was Willing.
Willing to pull his weight once again against
those two iron maidens named Maria and
Martha.
Bob's a man in his seventies -- and as he
likes to say -- with some snow on his roof. But
those white h airs don't stop him from
matching his 135 pounds against the 1,000
pounds of the bells.
Bob's rung the bells for over five years now.
When his wife started eaking over ' the care
taking duties at the church, Bob fell into a few
of the heavier jobs. And bell ringing was one
of them.
"When I first started," he chuckles, "1'
wasn't very good. The whole neighborhood
had to be the guinea pig."
With a job like bell ringing, he couldn't go
off and practice all by himself until he
mastered them. Not at all. Practice was
performance .Performance was practice.
"You can sure bet I heard about it.' he
says. But no more. He's mastered the ropes.
He spits on his hands. Rubs them together.
And grips first the rope on the left.With his
left hand. That's Martha, the big belt:She's at
least 600 pounds. The boss bell he calls her.
He gives the rope a pull. GetS her started first.
Then he grabs on to Mary's rope with his
right hand. The two bells arc off and ringing
now. Gaining in momentum. Sending out their
two sounds. In steady rhythms
"They're jiving now," Bob says. And the
Madam:
We really appreciated the opportunity of
telling our story in your newspaper during
March of Dimes month.
The response from all members of the
media has been very encouraging and in
those areas where we conducted a
fund-raising campaign, the results to date
Already indicate a substantial increase over
past yciers.
Thanks.again for your generous support,
for it is only through an informed public
and the co-operation of the media that we
will make any progress in change for the
disabled.
(Mrs.) Pat Mortimer,
Director, information Services
'Heart Month' in Canada is 'now over,
and on behalf of the Canadian Heart Fund,
Ontario Division, please accept our
sincerest appreciation for your
co-operation and assistance during our
financial campaign in February,
Our objective this year was $3,600,000
and although all returns are not in, due to
the disruption in our postal service, we are
Years Algona
1410001-904 J875
It is our painful office to record the death of Daniel Lizars,
clerk of the peace for Huron County which took place irr
Goderieb at the age of 82 years. ----
Davidio0.J6hnson of town has purchased the residence of J.P.
Kendall, opposite the CanadaNPresbyterian Church for
$1,00l
We notice by a Dundee (Scotland) paper that James
Wanless of Varna who is at present visiting the scenes of his
youth in the Old Country, addressed a large gathering of
temperance people recently.
G. Dobson of Clinton has sold his farm of 50 acres in the
Huron Road to Richard Carter his next ' neighbor.
The 17th of "Ould Ireland was celebrated by the Irishmen
of Carronbrook and vicinity by a dinner at Callaghan's Hotel.
About 100 guests sat down.
ThiMcKillop Council m et at Hannah's Tavern with all
members present.lt was tweed and seconded by gr.Kerr
and Mr. Bell that Soloman Shannon be re-appointed treasurer
for the present year.
Robert, young son of Gavin Hamilton, Hullett, slid from the
rqof of a stable and broke his left arm above the wrist.
The house of Mr. Yellow on the Huron Road, Tuckersmith,
next to Chris Dale's farm was burned to the ground.
MARCH 16, 1900
S. S. Cooper of Clintop has been awarded the contract for a
new brick school house in Constance.
Mrs. Dominic Reynolds of Hullett, died last week at the age
of 69 years. Both she and Mr. Reynolds were natives of
Ireland.
W. E. Hoggarth, breeder of fancy poultry of Hensel] has
lately shipped a grand pair of Barred Plymouth Rocks to a
gentleman in Winnipeg; a white Leghorn Cockerel to a
gentleman in Forest and a pair of pullets to a fancier of
Woodstock.
A very pleasant event tok place at the resident of Thos.
Pryce, McKillop when Miss Polly was united in marriage to
John Scott Bolton. The 'ceremony was performed by Rev...
Mr.Tiffin.
The thermometer was 15 degrees below zero on Monday
morning last. This is pretty good for March. '
J. M. Best. barrister, was in St.Thomas attending the
assizes in a professional capacity.
The demand for wood is still brisk and every load is
snapped up at good prices.
Josiah Watson, of the Seaforth saw mill, is getting in a big
supply of logs. He will have as large a stock as has ever been
in the yard in Seaforth.
Wm. Fowler of Enderlin, North Dakota, is visiting his
father in Harpurhey who is very ill.
Wm. Adams 'of town has purchased the residence of Wm.
Reidy on North Main St. for $700.00.
Peter Lamont of Zurich shipped atear load of cattle last
week.
T. Fraser, Stanley Twp. has disposed of 1.3 yearling sheep to
Mr. Hammer of Brantford.
Alex Ross of Brucefield held and immense wood bee and it
wound up with a dance at night with music furnished by Abe
Forsythe.
Henry Colclough of Constance has disposed of his SO acre
farm to his brother, Robert of Goderich Twp. who purchased
it for his son.
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MARCH 20th, 1925
Wm. McSpadden of Winthrop left last week for the west on
a visit to his sisters.
Messrs. Joe and Stephen Eckert of Manley have completed
their contract in pulling down the old land mark on the 'Cowan
farm. .
Geo. Kistner of Manley met with 'a painful accident, when
he slipped- on the ice, but it was found that no bones were
broken.
The auction sale of G.W.Nott of Alma was a good success.
There was a large crowd present and the bidding was keen.
G.H.Elliott of Clinton wielded the hammer.
A painful accident occurred to Willie Parker of Chiselhurst
one day recently while cutting wood with others. In some way
the saw of the next man buckled, comingeivontact with his
hand and causing a severe cut.
Scott Davidson of Brucefield has bought the old McQueen
farm on the London Road from McDonald Bros. -
The following from the Sault Ste Marie Star will interest
many old friends here as Mr. Moore is an old Tuckersmith
boy. "Two Wolf pelts were shipped to the Ontario
Government for bounty by John A.,Junor and John Moore of
McLennan, Algoma.
Miss Irene O'Sullivan of St. Columban has finiShed her
course at the Business College at Stratford.
Alfred melick of Zurich has taken into partnership Albert J.
Kalbfleisch of Hay Twp.
Sugar making is now the order of the day at Hensall, and
some very nice fholasses has been soldeon the market.
Wm. A. McLaren of Hensall is having the interior of his
dwelling remodelled.
The vote on the question of church union in connection with
First Presbyterian Church was concluded and the result of the
voting was announced as follows: Possible, vote .450; votes
cast 311; for union 91; against, union 220; majority against
129.
Messrs. John and James Scott of Roxboro were in Toronto
attending the Mendelsohn Choir Concert.
Mr. Gallagher of Teeswater has rented Alex Kennedy's
resident on North Main St.
Reg. Reid of town has finished the season with the St. at's
"hockey team and has returned of his home here.
MARCH 17th, 1950
The Schneider Orpheus Male Choir, Kitchener, sponsored
by the Men's Club of First PresbyterianChurch, presented
one of the finest musical programs Seaforth has been
priviledged to hear for some time.
The I.O.O.F. Rebekahs and Order of the Eastern Star
sponsored a euchre party when 60 people enjoyed the cards.
The prize winners were, Ladies 1st Mrs.Mae Dorance; lone
hands - Mrs. Mae Free; Consolation, Mrs.Wm. Kelly; Gents
1st Percy Little; Lone hands Cecil Oke, Consolation Willis
Dundas.
Mrs. Paul Doig was the guest speaker at the Women's
Institute held at the home of Miss Mabel Cameron when she
chose as her subject "Being an Optimist"..
Miss Rita Duncan, daughter of 'Mr. and Mrs. W.J.Duncan
SEaforth, has been elected secretaryeeeasurer of the
Windsor Social Workers Club.
- A large crowd attended the carnival held in the new arena.
John W. Stele/art, a life long resident of Usborne Twp. died
suddenly at his home. He was one of the best known-farmers
of the district.
Stuart McBride, Kippen, has won a 51,250 scholarship at
Western University.
Joseph Mason, has moved into the home owned by Mrs.
Ferguson, Goderich St. West.
Rev. H.E.Livingstone of Brownsville has accepted the call
extended to him by the McKillop charge. •
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